Inside the ground, 50,000 fans sang “Walking in a Robson Wonderland”, a song usually reserved for their other hero Kevin Keegan.

Even Liverpool supporters, who celebrated a crushing 5-1 win over the Magpies, joined in to pay respect to one of football’s greatest.

Sir Bobby, 75, from Langley Park, County Durham, who is battling cancer for a fifth time, appeared overwhelmed as he sat in the stand.

Before kick-off, fans paid their own tributes to their former manager.

Tom Lynch, 29, from Heaton, Newcastle, described Sir Bobby as “one man in a million”.

The civil servant added: “It’s important that we show him how much he means to all Newcastle fans.

“We all love him and wish him the best.

“I’m sure he knew that but we wanted to say it in a public way.”

Geoff Turner, an IT consultant from Jesmond, Newcastle, said the North East may never see another figure like Sir Bobby.

The 41-year-old added: “I think he could be a one-off. I don’t think there’s any other man in football, certainly not living, who commands so much respect from one city. Everything he does in life is an example to others, whether it’s football or charity work or just being a decent man.

“Everyone wishes him all the best.”

Tony Stephenson, a member of the Newcastle United Supporters Club, said: “I can’t think of a better tribute for an outstanding man than having a day just for him.”

And Malcolm Shiels, the club’s chairman, said: “This day is for Sir Bobby and I hope it’s something he’ll be able to remember for a long time.”

The Newcastle United Supporters Club planned the city-wide event in the run-up to the lunchtime clash with Liverpool.

The group wanted to use the day to raise more cash for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, which has already topped £1m in less than six months.

The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation is a charity aimed at supporting work in the fight against cancer.

Focused on the early detection and treatment of the disease and the trial of new drugs, the foundation will initially help the people of the North East.

Work will be based at the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre at the new Northern Centre for Cancer Care, which is under construction at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.